Transport Bill criticised by board chairman

Press, 20 July 1979, Page 4

Transport Bill criticised by board chairman

" The Urban Transport Bill is proceeding with “almost Indecent haste,” says the chairman of the Christchurch Transport Board (Mr J. D. Kelleher).

He was commenting after submissions by the board were sent to the Government Officials Committee, which is expected to reveal the bill in its final form tarty next month. Mr Kelleher said the submissions were a restatement pf the board’s concern for public accountability and a fair rating basis for urban transport. No admendment to the bill’s draft form had been suggested, he said, because the board agreed with its general principles, and did pot want to be seen as ’pushing its own barrow.” However, the board has told the committee that it opposes the lack of directly elected members on the proposed committee, which Kould handle the transport functions of the Canterbury United Council. It also objects to the heavy loading »f Government appointees on the central Urban Transport Council, which would lave power to allocate funds to the regions. The submissions also point out a possible anomaly [a-the collection of rates by !ae United Council to fund a bus service of benefit to ujly a portion of its area. • The Minister of Internal btfiairs (Mr Highet) had Seen incorrect when he said hst week that nothing in (he draft bill would abolish iie Transport Board, said #£ Kelleher. • K the United Council as-

sumed rating authority for urban transport, there would be no point in the board’s carrying on, he said. “We would simply be running an office.” The board will now have to wait until the final bill appears to see if its concerns have had any impact. The bill is planned to become law on April 1, 1980. The legislation was being “bulldozed” through Parliament, said Mr Kelleher. “There was first the Carpet Report, or the Green Paper on transport, in 1969, the White Paper in 1977, and now we have the proposed bill being rushed through in just three months.” He believed there, would be no hearing by a Parliamentary Select Committee on the legislation. Hearings should be held and all concerned parties should be able to make written and verbal submissions, Mr Kelleher said.